Joined Air Force Reserves at O'Hare Field, Chicago, IL in Sept. 1949. We were the 437th Troop Carrier Wing, flying C-46 transports. We were called to active duty when the Korean War broke out in June, 1950. We trained at Shaw AFB, SC, and Flew our aircraft to Fukuoka, Japan. We flew troops and supplies into Korea and I flew 320 Korean Liaison Operations missions over North Korea to receive radio information from our spies. Discharged Aug. 1952.

Post-WWII Civilian Occupation(s):

I attended Junior College in Chicago for 1 1/2 years after discharge from WWII. I then joined Illinois Bell Telephone Co. I held a variety of jobs in the Plant Dept. and then went into the Marketing Dept. where I held various management jobs until I retired as Director/Manager of Product Forecasting for business products. My group was responsible for accurately predicting over $82 million in products and services. Retired in 1982 with 35 years of service.

Thoughts on the 58th Bomb Wing:

I was very proud of being a flight crew member on a B-29, the biggest and the best aircraft made. The assignment to the 58th Bomb Wing gave our inexperienced crew the opportunity to interface with, and learn from, battle-hardened flight crews. We learned about pride, determination and the "can do" spirit that was ingrained into all the personnel of the 58th. For me it was a character building experience that helped throughout the rest of my life.

Comments:

I am very pleased that we veterans of the 58th Bomb Wing will have a special memorial of our own at the prestigious N.E.A.M. Having a restored B-29 and a building to house it and other memorabilia will assure that future generations will know what part our 58th Bomb Wing played in winning a victory in WWII. It is my dream that my son and daughter-in-law and my grandchildren will be able to visit the N.E.A.M. and see the B-29 and other exhibits that were so meaningful to their grandpa.

A 50-year resident of Mount Prospect, he was supportive of many community activities and citizens committees. Besides his involvement with Cub Pack 154 and the Mount Prospect Speed Skating Club, he served as president of the local Cancer Society chapter. He was elected to two terms on the School District 57 School Board and was president during four of the eight years he served. In 1982 he retired after working 35 years for Illinois Bell as manager of product forecasting. He was respected for his logical approach and evaluations of situations in the business world, school district and life in general by all who knew him. More recently, Bob was asked to serve as chairperson for School District 57 Task Force Committee, which studied the future needs of the school district. In 2003 he was honored to receive an award from INSPRA for his community service. Bob was currently serving on the pastoral relations committee of the South Church (sometimes referred to as the cute little white church with something special going on inside).